Six Arraigned After Police Find Drug Lab In Spacious Westford Home
WESTFORD (CBS) – A father, his wife and the couple's two children were among six people arrested Wednesday after a months-long investigation led police to an active drug lab at a spacious Westford home.
Westford Police learned of the lab in a large multi-bedroom home on Mountain View Lane and had been investigating with the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Officers executed a search warrant Wednesday morning and arrested 63-year-old Bradley Heath along with his son, 22-year-old Bradley Heath and daughter Linley Heath, 28.
Later in the day, Diana Heath turned herself into police.
Lindsey Holston, 20, from Westford and Prachi Joglekar, 22, from Groton were also arrested.
Police say the group was using butane to heat honey oil, which is a potentially dangerous process used to extract THC from marijuana.
The product was allegedly being sold under the name "Gold Street Extracts."
Officers says they could smell the cooking lab when they entered the house and found it in the basement.
All six faced drug charges during their appearance Wednesday afternoon in Ayer District Court.
Prosecutors said in court that there was an "overwhelming odor" of marijuana in the house and drugs with a street value of around $29,000 were found inside.
Attorneys for Bradley Heath Sr. and his wife Diana said the couple did nothing but own the home.
A defense attorney for the younger Bradley Heath said he and Holston, his girlfriend, have legal medical marijuana cards.
Prosecutors requested $30,000 bail for Bradley Heath Jr., and the defense did not object. That bail, however, was revoked on a previous case and he was held.
Holston, who is accused of helping her boyfriend sell the drugs, was held on $1,000 bail.
Bail of $500 was ordered for Bradley Heath Jr., Diana Heath, and Linley Heath.
There was a possibility the house could have exploded if butane levels built up and combined with an ignition source. But there was no explosion, and neighbors were not in danger, police said.
Hazardous materials teams remained on scene and the drugs inside the home will be taken to a safe location, police said.
"Their alleged lab operations compromised the safety and security of their neighbors, as well as the law enforcement officials who arrested the suspects today," Middlesex District Attorney Marion Ryan said.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Bernice Corpuz reports
